Apprehending threat to Nagaland and Nagas following passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 – CAB – in Lok Sabha, Nagaland GBs Federation (NGBF) has announced its appreciation and support to Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) and endorsed its views and arguments as carried by the media on Sunday.
In a statement issued by its media cell, the federation also assured its full support and blessings to any movement meant for benefit and welfare of Nagas.
Pointing out that Naga political parties were at each other’s throat over the issue, NGBF regretted that nothing concrete had emerged thus far. It added that the issue of illegal immigrants was of serious concern in Nagaland.
According to the federation, the State cabinet’s decision to appeal for a review and re-examination of the Bill at this juncture was unfortunate, adding that it lacked the will and conviction to save the State from being overrun by illegal immigrants.
When other North-eastern States run by BJP and its allies, besides the BJP MLAs themselves, were calling for total scrapping of the Bill, the organisation wondered what was hindering the State government to do the same.
It stressed that the Bill should be opposed tooth and nail so that the coming generations would not “curse us for the things we could had done when we had the opportunity.”
The federation also trashed the State’s government contention that Article 371(A) provided the shield of protection to Nagaland and Nagas wherein it was stated that “no Act of parliament shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides”. It termed this as a “feeble argument and a dangerous one in it”.
Quoting relevant portions of Article 371(A), NGBF asked the State government how could it be so assured that the Article would protect the Nagas in the event of Bill becoming an Act.
The federation claimed that there was no mention of citizenship in the Article, even as it asserted that the hope of taking 371(A) as ammunition to oppose the Bill when it becomes an Act would not pass the legal scrutiny in time.
The body further asserted that citing the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act (BEFRA), 1873 as being one of the pillars to safeguard Nagas through the exercise of inner line permit (ILP) too was a misrepresentation of the Act as there was no relation between CAB and ILP.
Stating that there was a marked difference between the two and that there was no correlation whatsoever, NGBF pointed out that while ILP or even Restricted Area Permit (RAP) was for temporary movement within the State, CAB would grant citizenship to illegal immigrants that would have disastrous consequences.
“If Nagaland is the only State where no illegal immigrants could enter as a result of the restrictions imposed by ILP, it could have been a different story. However, it is not the case and, despite BEFRA 1873, our State has become a safe haven for illegal immigrants,” it pointed out.
The apex body of village heads said it was unfortunate that a Bill based on religion was passed in Lok Sabha, “giving a legal freeway to the illegal immigrants to flourish and prosper, particularly in the North-eastern States of India.”
It warned that should the Nagaland government remain weak and meekly watch the “hazardous events” unfolding, it would not be long before the illegal immigrants with Indian citizenship overrun the State in every field and turn Nagaland into a haven for illegal activities.
“When we should be working towards an efficient mechanism to deport and reduce the inflow of illegal immigrants, our weak stand is but a welcoming gesture to those who are eagerly waiting to make an entry into our State,” the statement added.
Mentioning that the wavering stance of the State government on CAB was tantamount to supporting whatever the Centre decides at the expense of welfare of the Nagas, NGBF, however, welcomed the State cabinet’s decision to call a consultative meet of all sections of the society, including tribal hohos, civil society groups, NGOs, political parties, prominent citizens and all stakeholders to ascertain their views, opinions and suggestions.
The federation further warned that, as a respectable organisation and guardian of traditional and customary laws and practices, it would not remain a mute spectator to any anti-Naga activity and rise up to the occasion “as we will not tolerate and watch Nagaland being buried due to whatever reasons behind”.
It was time for the government to wake up and not just give “support in solidarity to the voice of North-eastern brethrens” but find a way to protect from this controversial Bill before it was too late, NGBF added.